noun

substance

substance, material, essence, importance

The police found an illegal substance.

The police found an illegal substance.

Her argument lacked substance.

Her argument lacked substance.

a ((adjective)) substance a type of solid, liquid or gas The box contained a strange white substance.

of substance of importance or value His speech was of little substance.

Synonyms: material, matter, essence; Antonyms: form, appearance, nothingness

From Latin 'substantia' meaning 'being, essence', from 'substare' which means 'to stand under'.

Think of what 'stands under' the surface or appearance – the real, solid stuff.

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